Phnom Penh (FN), Dec. 20 – So Naro, Minister Delegate attached to the Prime Minister presented the outcomes of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet’s visit to Japan to attend the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

So Naro spoke in a press conference on Tuesday (Dec. 20) at the Phnom Penh International Airport following the fruitful visit of Cambodian premier and delegation to Japan.

In the opening remarks, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio underlined that ASEAN-Japan relations have been underway over the past half century, and ASEAN has become a trading partner, expanding investment and other sectors, and promoting people-to-people exchanges.

Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia and Chairman of ASEAN in 2023, noted that the 50th ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Summit in 2023 provided an opportune moment for ASEAN and Japan to elevate their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. To further enhance this relationship, collaboration should be extended across various domains, encompassing politics, security, trade, investment, agriculture, food security, science, digital technology, and more.

During the First Session, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet underscored that the ongoing ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit marks a historic milestone in the enduring partnership in fostering peace, mutual prosperity, and sustainable development, aiming to cultivate genuine friendships and opportunities that bring tangible benefits to the people.

The Second Session of the Summit focused on two main topics, including Heart-to-Heart Partnership Across Generations and Partners in Co-creation of Economy and Society of the Future. In this session, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet conveyed his satisfaction upon witnessing the successful outcomes of past initiatives.

Samdech Thipadei underlined that the growing unpredictability in regional and global frameworks indicated the importance of cooperation with reliable and amicable partners, and the collaboration between Japan and ASEAN has contributed to narrowing the technological and digital gap while promoting joint development and human resource development.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet also expressed hope for Japan to continue providing scholarships, training courses, and vocational training to Cambodia. In addition, Cambodia also welcomed and supported the announcement of the launch of a 40 billion JPY for people-to-people exchanges and cultural-educational cooperation.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet expressed appreciation for the ongoing cooperation between Japan and Cambodia in various fields including education, technology, medicine, social protection, and cultural exchange visits.

On the theme of "Partners in Co-creation of Economy and Society of the Future'', the premier underscored that the world will lose competition based on market values and principles; therefore, it is crucial to avoid excessive dependence on any bloc for economic survival. In this context, for the establishment of an environmentally sustainable and resilient economic future, ASEAN-Japan must commit to upholding the principles of free and open multilateral trade and advocate for the rule of law.

Samdech Thipadei also supported the initiative of collaborating to establish an ASEAN-Japan next-generation car industry, as well as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s proposal to mobilise USD 35 billion in funding for five years through state and private partnerships in ASEAN, with a focus on improving the livelihoods of people, creating new opportunities and jobs.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Joint Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation and its Implementation Plan.
=FRESH NEWS